THE new Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, Kevin Hurley, has named a former colleague as his right-hand man.

Subject to confirmation by the Surrey Police and Crime Panel on December 13, former senior officer Jeff Harris will join Mr Hurley’s team.

Funds for a deputy’s salary had been budgeted for by the outgoing police authority.

Mr Harris will receive a £50,000 annual salary, awarded at the discretion of the commissioner. Mr Hurley himself takes home £70,000.

Mr Harris has more than 30 years’ experience with the Metropolitan Police and reached the rank of chief superintendent.

At the time of his retirement he was borough commander for Hounslow, leading a team of 640 officers, PCSOs, civilian staff and volunteers with an annual budget of £25m.

He said: “Kevin and I bring a shared passion for policing and a determination that local people should receive the very best policing service possible.

“It is an honour to be named as the proposed deputy police and crime commissioner for Surrey and to be able to support Kevin in realising his vision for policing in the county.”

He added: “We worked together from about 1995 to about 1998, but then we lost touch and hadn’t seen each other for many years except for the odd meeting.

“Then I spoke to him during the campaign, giving advice. There will be issues that we disagree on but I have no doubt that he was the right choice for the people of Surrey, with his expertise and knowledge.”

After retiring from the police, Mr Harris spent four years as an assistant director at Westminster City Council.

He was responsible for bringing together council employees involved in street-based services, such as enforcement inspectors and the ‘City Guardians’.

Mr Harris supports the zero-tolerance policy of Mr Hurley and said: “I think one of the things you have got to realise is that zero tolerance isn’t just [about] ‘lock them up and throw away the key’.

“It is about anybody who is an authority feeling confident enough to tackle antisocial behaviour.

“It’s the broken window example of not walking by but doing something about it, dealing with it.”

He will also be looking at possible savings from the budget as well as attending public meetings on behalf of the office of the PCC.

“Kevin has been inundated with requests for meetings across the county but he can’t do everything,” he said.

“When he can’t be there I will. We will be going out to people in the boroughs to hear it from the horse’s mouth and see what can be done.”

Mr Hurley said: “I have known Jeff for many years and he played an integral role in my election campaign.

“I trust him absolutely for his judgement and wisdom, honed over a lengthy and successful career in policing and community safety.

“We make a great team and I know he will make a real difference for the people of Surrey in this important job.”

Mr Harris has recently been a team leader for the Prince’s Trust, working with vulnerable young people on intensive development courses designed to improve their employment and educational prospects.

He has also worked with the Metropolitan Police voluntary cadets in Croydon.